I recently joined two: the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). I'm still exploring the benefits of both of these memberships, but already I'm glad I spent the money to join.
For starters, I'm learning a ton just from being on some of the many SEJ listservs, where environmental reporters and editors from across the country and all over the world discuss challenges, issues, and topics relevant to environmental reporting. The SEJ members who contribute regularly are open and honest, sharing encouragement and sources and ideas with one another. But it's not all warm and fuzzy—often, there are debates going on about environmental and journalistic issues, too.
And one of the reasons I joined IRE is for access to its tip sheets, investigative reporting story archives, and publications. The information I'm gleaning from the IRE resources is valuable not only to my work as a freelancer, but also to my studies as a master's student completing my degree in Environmental Journalism & Communication.
Why bother joining, when membership fees can set you back anywhere from $35 to more than $100 a year?
Benefits usually include:
- camaraderie and connections with fellow professionals
- a slew of resources and publications you might not otherwise have access to (including newsletters and/or magazines produced by the organization and its members)
- job listings
- email discussion lists
- discounts on conferences, books, and in some cases even things like rental cars and insurance
- networking opportunities
- mentoring opportunities
Still not convinced? Consider this: Becoming a member of a major professional organization may lend you credibility with fellow writers and potential clients. For many people, that alone makes joining worth it.
Some of the most common organizations that freelancers join include (in no particular order):
- Society for Professional Journalists
- American Society of Journalists and Authors
- American Copy Editors Society
- Editorial Freelancers Association
- Authors Guild
- National Writers Union
- Freelancers Union
(Two examples: San Diego Professional Editors Network and the Austin Professional Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications/Freelance Austin.)
I'll talk a bit more later on about how to pick the right organization for you (hint: I wouldn't fork over the cash for every professional membership you can find—be selective!).
In the meantime, what organizations do you belong to? Do you benefit from your memberships? How did you choose which organizations to join?
Please share here!
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